Open Letter to Genesis Motors - How I'd Improve the G90

[DBTXG90]

After just a few days of 2023 G90 ownership:

1) Enable the "off" setting as a default for IGS. It's ridiculous to require me to push the same button every time I get in the vehicle. If I can afford a G90, i can afford to, and likely choose to ignore, any potential 0.1 MPG savings. Alternatively, allow me one or more choices to set a longer default IGS shut-off interval, since I am agreeable to IGS at long traffic lights or in stalled traffic, just not at every single driving pause. This is a G90, not a Prius...

2) Don't always enable "Active" Lane Keeping Assist whenever I initially enable the cruise control, especially when I've already set it to "Warning" in the setup menus. Again, I wind up having to push a steering wheel button every time in order to disable the active assist. Yes, there are times when I'd like to enable active assist, but it's not during the majority of my driving. It should follow the default setting in the menu system. I do understand the that this setting is remembered when re-enabling a previously active cruise control setting (nut it seems to get re-enabled if you push up or down instead of using a center push).

3) Document how many songs can reasonably be stored on a USB flash drive. I loaded up a 128GB USB drive with 4500+ FLAC songs and when I plugged it in, the G90's Infotainment system "went out to lunch" for well over 10 minutes and never fully recovered until I removed the flash drive and restarted the vehicle (twice). Fortunately I was just parked in the driveway! My 2011 Audi A8L handled a 8000+ song count (on two SD cards) just fine, so I'm a little disappointed with G90 Infotainment at the moment.

Cheers - the journey begins...

P.S. No EVS for me. The TX electrical grid is fragile enough as it is.

 

[kdjlaw]

Offer the G90 without sunroof, moonroof or any other kind of roof that isn't smooth sheet metal. I know I'm not the only G90 owner who never, ever opens the roof. I had a Hyundai Genesis that made noise and drove me nuts. The only people who said they couldn'thear it were employees of the dealership, who knew they couldn't fix it.
Offer a G90 with a plain roof for $3500-5000 less and you’d have a huge jump on BMW, Mercedes, Lexus, Infinity and Jaguar.

 

[grtday]

Bring back the V8.
Bring the long wheelbase to the US.
Remove the hockey stick stretching across dash - it looks ridiculous. Go back to something more like the first generation - clean, straight lines.
Ditch the Superman grille - it looks tacky if not downright gaudy. No, it's not bold - it looks silly and cheap.
Go back to the previous style steering wheel - or at least something like what is in the Palisade. The current wheel looks like it came out of a 1990's Buick.
Hire a better designer for wheel styles or go back to something like the turbines.
Ditch the air suspension - you know damn well those are very problematic and expensive as they age. 1st gen G90 got it right without going that route. It wasn't broken - why did you fix it?
Expand the exterior color palette while eliminating the ones that are so similar to each other. Why do you have 2 whites, 2 blacks, 2 grays and a blue that looks black? Bring in a more royal colored blue, an emerald green and maroon.
Offer the tan interior on ALL exteriors.
Either bring back the shifting handle or put in a pushbutton one. Two rotary knobs right next to each other is not smart - even if they are shaped/sized/feel different from each other. This would rank as a safety concern.
Get rid of the flappy paddle shifters. They have no place on this car.
Add the snow driving mode. Why was this not included from the beginning like it was on the DH?
Either fix the panoroof creaking & noise issues that have plagued the brand since 2015 once and for all - or do not offer it on the flagship sedan. There is a reason you didn't put it on the 1st gen G90.
Go back to innovating your own headlight design styles like the 1st gen - vs. simply modifying the one you stole from Volvo for the 2020 facelift.
Put some color & text contrast in the center console. Everything being a cleared-over silver looks tacky and cheap compared to the rest of the interior.
Fix the delamination of the infotainment screen after prolonged exposure in the sun.
Bring back the V8.

Eliminate frivolous features and tech as it unnecessarily adds expense, complication and/or gaudiness:
- Mood curator - adjustable ambient lighting is plenty good on it's own.
- Pop-up speakers - completely unnecessary and prone to breaking during age. This was done simply for the sake of doing so and offers nothing to improve sound quality.
- Fingerprint auth - keys are not that big of a hassle.
- Scent spritzer - part of mood curator, but deserves it's own callout. This was done just for the sake of doing so. It was stupid when BMW started it, and it still is.
- UV compartments - we survived for generations without it. I promise you are not eliminating any germs with this. It is sitting in the middle of a giant, leather-clad petri dish.
- Active noise cancelling - the 1st gen didn't have this and was almost silent. Prolonged exposure to ANC has proven to be detrimental to ear health. This is not good for folks who road-trip with the G90, and there are more than a few threads on this forum making reference to nausea as a result. This would rank as a safety concern.
- Rear wheel steering (at least above parking-lot speed) - this functions way too aggressively through intersections and is contributing to rear passenger nausea issues.
- E-charged engines. (read: Bring back the V8)

FIX customer service / concierge / loaner vehicles. This entire thing is a shitshow to put it mildly - and it is doing way more harm to the brand than just about anything else.

On top of that - allow 2015-2021 models to be included-service & warranty worked at Hyundai dealers. The Genesis network is too small to not allow this - and you are punishing early(ier) adopters with this sudden restriction. It is not their fault that you launched the brand the wrong way. Those units will be aging out of warranty in the next few years anyhow - but current owners should not be getting screwed until then.

Lastly - remember who put you where you are. Remember what your customer base was when we were all early adopters: People who were looking for some creature comforts in a smooth & quiet ride - without the unnecessary expense and frivolous gadgetry that drove up the prices of the competition. You seem to have forgotten us - both with the G80, and the G90, as well as the GV80. You will sell more units if you put the price back where it belongs, and cut out all the crap that has now put the car in the 6-figure club. You also do not have the product quality or service experience to play in that club yet, either. Multi-million dollar showrooms with unnecessary art and empty lounges are not going to suddenly get you there - and only add to ridiculously jacked up costs for the 80, 90 and GV80. By absolutely no measure should the price of the G90 have increased 40% since 2017 (nor should the G80 have increased 44%).

Oh - and bring back the V8. Stop using turbos.

Remember who made you here in the US and Norther America.... those are who you were making cars for before, and you should remember to keep making cars for us now. We would have been loyal, recurring customers - but as of now you have alienated many of us from proceeding forward with the brand.

Heartily agreed with all of these!

 

[GnatGoSplat]

Haven't tried the current generation. In hindsight, wish I'd requested to test drive the '23 that was parked next to my '20 when we picked it up.
There are a lot of things I wish they did differently in my previous gen G90, but a lot of my list made it into the current gen. No point to mention those things. Of the things that I think may not have been changed:

• Driver 1 & 2 profiles by key fob. If key fob used to unlock the doors, auto set driver profile to match the key fob. Give the owner a choice by making it an option.
• Add an option to remember last settings: heated/cooled seats, lane change assist, drive mode, 360 camera, etc. I know "Sport mode" isn't remembered due to gov't regulations. Fine, let "Custom" be remembered and it can be up to the user how "Custom" behaves.
• Make the rear console available on the US models. I know it's a niche option even among German cars, but I've always had cars with quad bucket seats and always liked the look.
• Add a high performance Electrified G90 option. Should be higher performance than the Electrified G80 to differentiate it. Perhaps this won't help Genesis, but I want it for selfish reasons. With 2023 Electrified G80s running in the low $30k range with mileage in the low 30s, the depreciation is so high that if there was a 2023 Electrified G90, it'd probably be $40k and I'd have one in my garage right now. The larger cabin will probably also lend itself to better headroom than the eG80. I really don't understand why they made a 2026 eG80 LWB when it's almost G90 length/width (longer than old G90 even) and they could have just used a G90 in the first place.
• Bring G90 "Black Edition" to the US. BMW 7-series with shadowline trim and Audi A8L with Black Optics trim seem to be very popular, so I think there is a market for sportier looking ultra-lux sedans here.

 

[Joebean]

I just bought a 24 G90 e-SC
1. I would love to have a had a footrest on the back of the passenger seat for taller people that came down in the rest mode like the G90 XL.
2. I wish that the car had shades on the Diver and passenger windows also.
3. I wish there were ambient lighting down around the foot section in the front and back.
4. None of these things would make me look at other brands. I just wish that these items was in place. But I do wish that they would bring the XL to the USA.

 

[srobak]

2. I wish that the car had shades on the Diver and passenger windows also.

This is illegal in all 50 states, and most likely all countries.

 

[Joebean]

This is illegal in all 50 states, and most likely all countries.

I'm quit sure it is !!! other wise one of the other companies probably would have already done it !!! I just said I wish that it could be done !!!

 

[Joebean]

2024 G90 e-SC, I was just in the rear seats messing with the rear control monitor and was wishing that we could be able to actually be able to see the radio function and map guidance on the monitor in the rear. Maybe a OTA update could give us those like gennie did with car play. Don't know what all or how much it would be but for the price of this car and with all the other amenities this would definitely take it over the top !!!

 

[jcgraff]

Definitely having parts readily available and not waiting weeks/months and service…this is luxury vehicle ownership 101. it’s telling when basic simple parts like an oil filter is unavailable or waiting weeks to get an oil change.

Absolutely, the dealer service I received at my nearest dealer was just the absolute worst customer service I’ve received. Calling weekly, not getting an answer, and only after leaving 8 messages did I get a call back was the final straw. Too many problems before that to list.

Genesis corporate needs to make their service quality and experience consistent with a luxury brand.

Genesis needs to stand behind poor materials choices. My 2019 G90 (sold new in 2021 by dealer) had extensive wear on the B-pillar plastic, which is obviously too soft, after only 20,000 miles. Genesis told my current dealer they would not cover it as it is a cosmetic item. I have an appeal ongoing over the last 2 months.

I have issues other I’ve had since purchase that have not been fixed, including a trunk that opens about 20% of the time despite replacing both the electric latch and lift motor. Not having the trunk open when I need it to several times weekly at the grocery or home supply store really makes me feel like I don’t have a luxury car. Feels more like a lemon.

I have also had extremely long waiting time for parts. 6 months that I didn’t have the car when the entertainment system was draining the battery. I had that problem with it draining the battery after 4 days not driving from the time I purchased it. Found out later on CarFax that the battery was replaced twice over 2 years in the first 2000 miles while acting as a demo.

Pretty much every part has had a long delay, though no issues with oil changes as listed above. I have had to wait 3 months to get an appointment for oil changes due to insufficient number of either Genesis techs or loaner vehicles. Apparently the policy is they cannot work on the car if they cannot give a Genesis owner a loaner, and they obviously needed more vehicles because I had to reserve a car with them in order to get service.

I’ve found a much better dealer in Nashville, but it is a 3.5 hour drive one-way to get service. At least they are organized, answer the phone, courteous, keep me posted, and seem to know what they are doing!

 

[GnatGoSplat]

Blinker indicators in the HUD.
Not that important, but even my car from 1989 has blinkers in its HUD and I'm pretty used to them there. Still feels weird not having them. Should be possible to do in software as the HUD projector in these cars is literally just a projector that can display anything (video feed over APIX protocol).

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[LBTX]

I would like to see some sort of Genesis logo (something similar to the bat signal) that I could illuminate / project to celebrate when I see my fellow Genesis drivers on the road. That would be the ultimate flex as the kids say. I had a couple purposely drive around me the other day in the supermarket parking lot to look at my G90 while I ogled their G80. I flashed beams not too long ago in Houston to someone who had 24 or 25 G90. We need a something special to recognize and celebrate one another. lol

 

[srobak]

That would be illegal in all 50 in the US and Canada, unless stationary and/or on private property. Unlikely from the mfg - but certainly an aftermarket item.

 

[GnatGoSplat]

That would be illegal in all 50 in the US and Canada, unless stationary and/or on private property. Unlikely from the mfg - but certainly an aftermarket item.

Matrix LED headlights are legal as of 2022, so cars can legally be equipped with the hardware. Projecting logos and symbols aren't allowed in the US, but it's allowed in the EU. It would be cool to have the Genesis logo projected in the welcome lighting at least. Perhaps US cars could be coded by a technician to EU standards and then logos and symbols could be projected.

Audi's had this in EU for years:

 

[LBTX]

Matrix LED headlights are legal as of 2022, so cars can legally be equipped with the hardware. Projecting logos and symbols aren't allowed in the US, but it's allowed in the EU. It would be cool to have the Genesis logo projected in the welcome lighting at least. Perhaps US cars could be coded by a technician to EU standards and then logos and symbols could be projected.

Audi's had this in EU for years:

That's nice. Thanks for sharing.

 

[srobak]

Frivolous, unnecessary tech which only adds expense and points of failure all for the sake of projecting artistic expression. Pass on that part - it only continues to drive the brand further away from the original target market for those reasons.
Even Genesis had light-bending/cornering/lane changing (however you want to call it) illumination in 2016, and Caddy, Olds & Lincoln had static, "courtesy lamps" for cornering and lane changes going back several decades.
The notching out the high beam for leading and oncoming traffic is great, and I said as much over 7 years ago when BMW introduced it with their "laser" headlights. This is clearly a safety benefit feature. The image projection - not so much.

 

[GnatGoSplat]

I'm not sure if there's any useful usage scenarios to be able to project logos. I've seen one demo that projects a caution symbol, though if it's for driver use, putting that on the HUD would be more useful. I've also seen another demo (from Mercedes, I think) that projects a virtual crosswalk in front of the car as a way to tell a pedestrian it's safe to cross. Although the latter actually sounds potentially dangerous, like waving someone out of a parking lot.

I didn't know it before, but Tesla's Model 3 has had matrix headlights since 2021.
I think this takes the cake when it comes to frivolous, unnecessary tech. Not just headlight projections but the whole car is involved.

That said, considering everything is computerized these days, frivolity can likely be added with very little cost as it's all software. Kind of like the welcome sequence on the lights of many current cars (including the current G90) when you unlock it. The LED lighting and controller are already there, making it do silly effects is just software. Although everything software controlled is probably one of the reason modern cars are more unreliable than ever with so many software glitches and bugs.

 

[Like it quiet]

I was listening to old NPR "Car Talk" podcasts & one caller brought up a novel idea.

He suggested adding a button on the passenger side console.When the driver says/does something stupid, the passenger would press the button, causing the drivers' headrest to bump forward administering a dope-slap.

 

[srobak]

Now THAT I would like to see

 

[steveinarizona]

Stay away from EV's as it will cost you at least 1/2 of your market. GM and Ford both have cuts billions from EV budgets, Teslas just sitting on lots and rental car companies selling their EV's and large discounts just to get rid of them due to the high cost of maintenance and upkeep

Where in the world do you see that pushing EVs will cost one at least one half of the market? GM and Ford are making a huge mistake, IMO, because whether @kw2227Genisis likes it or not, EVs are the future and China and Europe are going full steam ahead. Historically, following GM and Ford on product strategy is a precursor to failing.

As to facing the competition, Genesis does have a way to go before it will equal the performance and reliability of a 7 series. But, on the other hand, the 7 series is more expensive product which is how Genesis, right now, is fighting the Germans. Jaguar is on its last legs and hasn't had a new product in years.

Yes...in many cities Genesis does have a service problem. All car companies that use the franchise system are at risk of a bad dealership and there have been such for BMW, Mercedes, Audi, etc. But as far as I can see, the problems with Genesis dealers are significantly worse. I am fortunate that my car has been solid.

The great thing about the car market today is that there are so many choices. Previously, if you want an EV you got a Tesla. Its only competition back then was the Nissan Leaf and Nissan killed that product in the US by providing little range and little power. Now there are Mercedes EQ series, BMW I series, Audi E-Trons, Porsche Taycan and Macan, Genesis GV60 and electrified versions of its ICE cars, Hyundai and Kia, Cadillac Lyric, etc. etc.

I went to Genesis because it offered a car that met my needs and no other car company did, A year and a half later, it still puts a smile on my face. But a bad customer service experience would turn me off instantly.

The good thing is that @kw2227 will have lots of choices to replace his G90 that are not EVs. He can just keep getting Genesis G90s. Or he can look else where. Just staying at the large car luxury market, the BMW makes a great 7 series; Mercedes S series has been the luxury leader for many, many years; Audi's A8 is another choice. Cadillac's V series sedans compete very nicely.

 

[srobak]

EVs are the future and China and Europe are going full steam ahead.

China is going that way because the government forces things down the throats of their citizens. The previous administration TRIED to do that in the US by imposing mandates, along with some states - and the automakers (including Gm & Ford) bought into it wholesale. It fell flat on it's face because in a free society - The People make the choices with their wallets as to what it is they consume. Not a person or his string pullers by decree. Europe's EV consumption has slowed considerably as well - though for them it makes a bit more sense as so much of the region is densely populated and doesn't have much of a daily commute, unlike the US. Let's also not forget about the tens of thousands of outright discarded EVs in Asia and Europe of which there are photos of them racked, packed and stacked as they quite simply could not offer the performance, range and durability that was necessary.

Historically, following GM and Ford on product strategy is a precursor to failing.

Ah - that must be why they are still around and have the highest domestic sales numbers - because they have failed. Got it. Meanwhile - how many EV startups have risen and fallen in recent years? How many bricked Fiskers are there, now? How many cities have switched back from electric garbage trucks, snow plows and city buses?

Right now the only company that is on the right track is Lucid - and it is only because of the SUV they released. The Air is nice - but you have to be an acrobat to get into the thing. Raise that roofline a good 6 inches and they will have something. In either case - SUV or sedan, they are the only one with the proper modular packaging, the practicality for useful space, and the range for a halfway serious driver. None of the others - including Tesla - is remotely close to where Lucid is. But getting into either of those vehicles is jumping back in the 6-figure club. Unless or until functional and longer range EV options come out that are both dependable in the long term, AND affordable - there will continue to be only marginal interest, and they will not get the foothold in the US that they desire. It will be reserved for elite, limited run vehicles like the Lucid, the electric G80, top tier German models that only had a few buyers when they were still gas, Tesla and a few others, with limited sales.

As to facing the competition, Genesis does have a way to go before it will equal the performance and reliability of a 7 series. But, on the other hand, the 7 series is more expensive product which is how Genesis, right now, is fighting the Germans.

Say what???

You've never owned a 7, have you? The one thing a 7 would never be called is "reliable". I've had two, and unfortunately more experience with still others - becoming quite intimate with the myriad of issues they have, most importantly and expensively - the V8 that is shared across numerous BMW models, the cartridge-style transmission and the transfer case on the Xdrives, along with the electronics suite. Once you hit 3-4 years or about 40k things start going downhill, and when you hit that 5/50k year mark you are literally taking a gamble every time you start the engine. Broke My Wallet became a phrase for a reason - it is not at all an unfounded stereotype. Other than the diesel 7 - only the 740 with the I6 engine did not require teardowns between the 60-80k mark, but going with that model would eliminate options such as long wheelbase and Xdrive along with a slew of package options. And you still had the other issues that would crop up.

I actually left the 7 series to go TO Genesis way back when, rather than go into a 3rd 7 series - and it was by every measure the right move. Much higher reliability, much better warranty, much more affordable to maintain, much more longevity, and having 90% of the features, options and comfort as standard items for 65% of the cost of an equivalently equipped 7 series.

Sadly that price margin has closed significantly as the prices have soared, and the quality and reliability has declined substantially for the 90 In the last few years - it is not at all the value that it was in the early first gen (17-20). Compounded by the loss of Hyundai shops being able to do included or warranty work, a small dealer footprint, incredibly long lead times for service and loaners (when you can even get them at all) - they've lost their initial target market entirely, and are not sporting what they need to in order to play in the market they are trying to be in.